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Manchester City: Liverpool dominate Citizens in 4-1 win at Etihad

By Larry Henry

"Manchester City's Eliaquim Mangala battles with Liverpool's Roberto Firmino during Saturday's 4-1 loss" (Credit to Manchester City Facebook).
"Manchester City's Eliaquim Mangala battles with Liverpool's Roberto Firmino during Saturday's 4-1 loss" (Credit to Manchester City Facebook). /
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"Manchester City's Eliaquim Mangala battles with Liverpool's Roberto Firmino during Saturday's 4-1 loss" (Credit to Manchester City Facebook).
“Manchester City’s Eliaquim Mangala battles with Liverpool’s Roberto Firmino during Saturday’s 4-1 loss” (Credit to Manchester City Facebook). /

Following the international break. Manchester City were hoping to continue their quest for the Barclays Premier League title. Their hopes took a huge hit on Saturday following their 4-1 home defeat to Jurgen Klopp‘s Liverpool squad.

Coming into the game at the Etihad Stadium, Manuel Pellegrini‘s squad were unbeaten in nine consecutive matches in all competitions. Jurgen Klopp, who took over the Reds in the middle of October, was unbeaten in six consecutive matches in all competitions, before losing 2-1 against Crystal Palace on November 8th.

City was welcoming back leading-scorer Sergio Aguero into their lineup, after he missed time after suffering a hamstring injury on international duty with Argentina in October.

However, it was the visitors celebrating an early 1-0 lead after City defender Eliaquim Mangala deflected a cross into his own net for an own-goal. Following the early lead, Liverpool continued to pressure the City back-four, and in the 23rd minute they had a two-goal cushion. Philippe Coutinho tapped home a brilliant pass from Roberto Firmino to give the visitors a 2-0 lead.

The pressure that Liverpool was giving City when they had control of the ball was starting to add up, and the Reds hammered home a third goal in the 32nd minute. Firmino was the goalscorer this time as Coutinho returned the favor with the assist.

In the 44th minute, Sergio Aguero pulled City back within two goals, after a brilliant right-footed shot outside of the box. Heading into the halftime break, City were facing a 3-1 deficit at home.

Throughout the second half, City continued to pressure the Liverpool defense trying to search for two goals to tie the game. However, Liverpool got the last laugh as Martin Skrtel scored a right-footed shot from the center of the box in the 81st minute ending any chance for a Man City comeback.

At the final whistle, Manchester City received some boo’s from the crowd after losing 4-1 at home to Liverpool. Manuel Pellegrini’s squad have a lot of work to do, as they face Juventus in the Champions League on Wednesday. Following their trip to Italy, City play Southampton next Saturday at home in BPL play.

According to the Telegraph, for “Manchester City to regain their title in the BPL, they need Vincent Kompany fit and back in the line-up”. Kompany did not feature for City today, but is hoping to be back in the upcoming week. City had 59% of the possession in the loss, but only had three of their 11 chances reach Simon Mignolet in the Liverpool net.

Liverpool had 41% of the possession, but created 14 chances and forced Joe Hart to make five saves in the City goal. Klopp’s men now prepare for a home Europa League fixture on Thursday against French-side Bordeaux. Following that, they host Swansea City at Anfield next Sunday in the BPL.

Manchester City now have fallen to third place in the BPL table after their loss, and will need to bounce back quickly if they want to stay in the hunt for the Barclays Premier League title.